What should I know about speech reading? 

• Watch the speaker carefully so you can see every expression. It will give you a clue as to what the speaker is saying. Don't concentrate on the speaker's lips alone.
• Check the seating arrangement in the room and then seat yourself across from the speaker. Be sure that you are both in good light. The light should fall on the speaker's face, not in your eyes.
• Determine as soon as possible what the topic of conversation is-even if you have to ask someone.
• Look for ideas rather than isolated words.
• Relax while you are speech reading. Do not strain to hear or see speech. A combination of hearing and seeing helps you to understand most speakers more easily.
• Keep abreast of current events so you can enter into conversation.
• Keep up on your friends' interests and new developments so you will have something to talk about with them.
• Ask people to repeat if you do not understand them. Reach for clues before you guess.
• It is polite to look at people who are speaking to you. Don't be afraid they will think you are staring at them while you are speech reading.
• Remember that it takes time to become a good speech reader. Each individual will learn at a different rate. It takes a lot of practice, but, once you have mastered it, you will find that it is a good friend.

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